Bay Burn Bridges

Herne Bay (1) 2
Steven Ita 8
Connor Sanders 89

Three Bridges (0) 1
Sam MacVicar 66

Attendance: 128

Ryman Isthmian League Division One (South)
Tuesday 22nd September 2015.
(at Winch’s Field)

(photo credit: Herne Bay FC Photo Library - Connor Sanders scored Bay winner)

Herne Bay banished the blues of defeat at the weekend and climbed back up to 6th in the league with this strong performance against high flying Three Bridges.

“The performance was the most pleasing thing about that result”, said Bay manager Sam Denly, “especially first half, we were fantastic and played some really good football”.

Ray Kelly writes:

In very wet conditions, Herne Bay and Three Bridges played out a superb game. Herne Bay took the
first half honours, going in at half time 1-0 up after a great solo effort from Steven Ita. The second half Three Bridges forced the Bay back for long periods but a goal from Connor Sanders in the dying minutes secured a well deserved win for the Bay.

The first half was end to end with both teams attacking at will. After only 3 minutes on the clock Sam
Hasler fired in a screamer from 25 yards that just skimmed the Bridges’ cross bar. On 8 minutes Herne Bay took the lead when Steven Ita won the ball in mid field , ran through the defence rounded the Three Bridges Goal keeper, Kieron Thorp and slotted in from an acute angle. Superb Goal. Two minutes later Dan Johnson went close and only a good save from Thorp prevented Bay doubling the lead.

Back came Three Bridges with Lee Carney thwarted by Liam Quinn heading off the line. In the 25th. minute Herne Bay lost Nathan Eastwood with a leg injury and he was replaced by Dan Parkinson.
Chances fell to Matt Whitehead and the tall Sam MacVicar but neither could convert but on 32 inutes they should have restored parity. Hakeem Adelaken headed over from close range. Just before half time Frannie Collin and Sam Hasler both had efforts cleared off the line by Callum Donaghey.

The second half started with Three Bridges well on top and after two minutes Jack Delo did well to stop a low hard drive from Ben Godfrey, Liam Quinn and Gary Sayer both headed away chances from MacVicar and Adelaken.

On a rare counter attack Herne Bay’s Steven Ita forced a corner, Sam Hasler’s kick was met by a Liam Quinn header but Thorp tipped the ball over the bar. With Bay being forced back for long periods it came as no surprise that Three Bridges equalised when a cross from Jamie Crellin was met with a thumping header from Sam McVicar giving Jack Delo no chance.

With time running out Herne Bay began to press the visitors with Giorgio Russo and Frannie Collin both making inroads into the Bridges defence and on 89 minutes they got their reward when following a Sam Hasler free kick way out on the left he found Liam Quinn on the far right, Liam’s header was picked up by Elliot Cutts who in turn laid the ball into the path of Connor Sanders who drilled the ball past Thorpe to score the winner.
After great jubilation Bay had to compose themselves for the final 5 minutes..Referee Ryan Whittaker
who had enjoyed a good game in the middle brought the game to an end.

“After the defeat on Saturday I asked for a reaction, we’ve got to bounce back from defeats like that”, said Denly, “Three Bridges are second in the league, they’re a good side. We looked dangerous, we looked lively, the lads that came off the bench did well, Elliot set up the second goal and I thought we thoroughly deserved the win”.

Herne Bay: Jack Delo, Georgio Russo, Gary Sayer, Dan Johnson, Liam Quinn, Connor Sanders, Nathan Eastwood (Dan Parkinson 25), Danny Williams, Sam Hasler (Elliot Cutts 71), Frannie Collin, Steven Ita (Kane Phillip 83).

Subs not used: Kane Butler, Joe Nelder.

Sent Off: None Cautioned: Connor Sanders, Danny Williams, Sam Hasler

Referee: Ryan Whittaker Assistant Referees: Steve Perry & Scott Rudd

Man of the Match: Connor Sanders (Herne Bay)